After-School Opportunities and Enrichment

Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Maya Richard, McDonogh Lower School Faculty
Cost: $180

Step into the magical world of dance with our Intro to Dance class designed specifically for energetic and creative minds! In this engaging program, students will embark on a journey of self-expression and movement exploration and will be led through the basics of dance, fostering coordination, rhythm, and a love for creative expression. Through imaginative play and age-appropriate choreography, your child will develop confidence and grace in a supportive and fun-filled environment.

Join us as we twirl, leap, and dance our way into a world of creativity and joy!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Mondays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $180

Welcome to our energetic and imaginative KPop Demon Hunters Exploration class! In this dynamic program, young performers will step into the vibrant world of K-pop (Korean popular music) while exploring creativity, teamwork, and self-expression. With fun activities like vocal warm-ups, choreography, and character creation, students will form their own "idol groups," complete with team names, signature moves, and original lyrics.

This class combines music, movement, and storytelling to help kids build confidence, develop performance skills, and discover the power of working together. Whether they're shy or naturally outgoing, every student will shine on stage and leave with unforgettable memories of their K-pop journey!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Beth Pacione, Common Tone Music
Cost: $185

Story Makers brings early elementary students together to experience a story through movement, song, and crafts. Each week, students explore a different children's book through the lens of fine arts. They will sing, play music, dance, and create a craft or prop that pairs with the weekly tale. By the end of the session, children will have learned different ways to tell a story, how to create a narrative through music, and how to express their imagination in different ways with the help of their Story Maker community.

Come and help breathe life and creativity into beloved children's literature and let your imagination run wild!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $180

All Aboard the Hogwarts Express! This course is designed for young enchanter enthusiasts to dive into the fascinating world of Harry Potter! In this engaging program, students will craft magical wands, brew "potions" using safe ingredients, and participate in house-themed challenges that bring favorite wizard stories to life. Young wizards-in-training will explore their creativity by designing magical creatures, creating enchanted maps, and discovering the imaginative elements that make these beloved stories so captivating. Additionally, your child will get to participate in wizard-themed games, learn about the literary elements behind magical storytelling, and develop friendship bonds through collaborative magical challenges!

This course will empower scholars with a deeper appreciation for fantasy literature while encouraging teamwork, creative thinking, and the magic that happens when imagination is given room to flourish.

Please Note: This is a hands-on, literature-inspired creative class for students focused on crafts and games — not a reading-intensive book club.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Thursdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Daryl Burch, McDonogh Upper School Faculty
Cost: $150

Award-winning debate coach Daryl Burch, along with members of McDonogh's Upper School varsity debate team, will train and coach Middle School students in the skills of competitive debate. Participation in the program teaches public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills that are highly valuable in every facet of McDonogh's curriculum. Students will debate a current event and prepare for a mini tournament to which all parents are invited.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Thursdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Arkadiy Frenkel, National Chess Master
Cost: $150

Chess is a fun game that helps kids learn life skills: how to concentrate, recognize patterns, solve problems, think creatively, cultivate teamwork (among their pieces), execute short-term tactics, develop long-term strategies, manage time, and, most importantly, exercise impulse control. When players lose pieces and games because they moved their pieces impulsively, they learn to resist succumbing to the quick fix of instant gratification. In contrast, when they win pieces and games because they moved their pieces patiently, players learn to savor the enduring joy of delayed gratification.

Based on their skill level and age, players will be divided into two groups that alternate between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of friendly games. Beginners are welcome! All chess supplies provided.

Arkadiy Frenkel is a U.S. Chess National Master and full-time chess coach. He has also directed McDonogh Summer Camps' Chess Camp for the last nine summers.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Tuesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: VAC Enrichment
Cost: $165

Have you ever wanted to play the internationally known game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and stretch your imagination, tell stories with your friends, and build useful, creative skills? Want to see what the game they play in Stranger Things is all about? Well, this is your chance!

In this class, students will explore collaborative storytelling through D&D. Along the way, they will develop social and emotional skills that will serve them well outside of this beloved fantasy tabletop role-playing game.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Daryl Burch, McDonogh Upper School Faculty
Cost: $150

The number one fear most people have is speaking in public. This class will motivate and encourage students to speak in public. Students will work on understanding speech, invoking emotion and pathos in the delivery of the speech, conveying appropriate tone and sentiment in the speech content, and enunciating the speech.

The goals are to help students become better orators and to create interest among Middle School students for the Upper School debate program.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Landon Kleiman, McDonogh School Auxiliary Programs Staff
Cost: $150

Come join us for fun-filled afternoons featuring physical activities such as laser tag, kickball, soccer, capture the flag, frisbee golf, and more!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Mondays (Separate Groups for Each Grade Range)
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: RoboThink Greater Baltimore
Cost: $180

Clash of the Robots: Rumble Arena is an action-packed robotics program where every build is designed for competition. Students use DC motors, mainboards, gears, and axles to construct their own battle robots, which they then test in exciting games and challenges against their peers. Through hands-on building and competitive play, students learn key concepts in robotics and mechanical engineering while refining their designs for better performance.

No experience is necessary — just bring your competitive spirit and get ready to build your way to becoming a RoboThink Master Engineer.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Mondays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Landon Kleiman, McDonogh School Auxiliary Programs Staff
Cost: $180

Students will be immersed in the world of innovation. This class ignites wonder, encourages confidence, and builds essential STEM skills through collaborative and creative problem-solving.

Each week, students will dive into thrilling hands-on projects like crafting marshmallow launchers, building catapults, launching kinetic rockets, designing marble mazes, and much more — and students will be able to take home their creations to continue the fun!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Thursdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gregg Kleiman, McDonogh Middle School Faculty
Cost: $180

Join us and discover that everything is truly awesome! In this dynamic class, students dive into the exciting world of STEAM through playful, hands-on learning. Each class, they'll tackle thrilling missions that become the foundation for their creative builds. With dedicated time for choice builds, their imaginations can run wild. Plus, at the end of the season, each student takes home their very own LEGO® kit — fueling their creativity long after the class ends.

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Tuesdays (Separate Groups for Each Grade Range)
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: RoboThink Greater Baltimore
Cost: $180

Step right into the extraordinary RoboThink RoboPetz Store and get ready for a world of robotic wonders! Immerse yourself in this captivating program that invites students to unleash their creativity by constructing an incredible variety of animal robots. Whether it's a lively, tail-wagging dog or a mesmerizing, self-moving unicorn, the possibilities are endless!

Throughout this wild adventure, participants will dive into the fundamentals of working with mainboards, DC motors, gears, and axles, gaining valuable skills as they build robots inspired by nature's finest. Join us on this thrilling journey of discovery and create your very own RoboPetz — no prior animal experience required!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Mondays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Evelyn Karpeh, McDonogh Lower School Faculty
Cost: $180

Welcome to the Creative Charm Club, where students will explore jewelry-making, keychain designs, and create colorful bead tapestries. Whether making something for themselves or a special gift for someone else, students will leave with handmade creations they'll be excited to show off!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Tuesdays
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gregg Kleiman, McDonogh Middle School Faculty
Cost: $180

Innovative Arts and Crafts is a super cool and fun after-school class where creativity comes to life! Students will create amazing projects like colorful slime, sparkling sand art, sweet candy molds, and bright crayon shapes. We will also design unique mosaic tiles and explore new, innovative crafts every week that inspire imagination and teamwork.

This program is the perfect way for everyone to express themselves, learn new skills, and have an awesome time with friends!

Register for Winter 2027 Beginning November 11

Day of the Week: Mondays
Class Start Date: September 14
Time: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Greenebaum Middle School Dance Studio
Instructor: Laura King, McDonogh Adult Yoga Faculty
Cost: $200 (8 weeks) or $100 (4 weeks)

Interested in learning how to enhance your focus, reduce stress, or begin and end your workday with renewed energy and balance? Join our Adult Yoga class at McDonogh! Whether your goals are to cultivate a clear mind, boost physical activity, or set a positive intention for the week ahead, yoga is the perfect way to find balance and wellness within our community.

No previous experience is necessary for this class. To register and experience the transformative benefits of yoga, please email afterschool@mcdonogh.org and let us know whether you are interested in the 8-week or 4-week package.

Register for Fall 2026 Beginning August 10

Day of the Week: Thursdays
Class Start Date: September 17
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Location: Greenebaum Middle School Dance Studio
Instructor: Colleen MacLean, McDonogh Lower School Faculty
Cost: $200 (8 weeks) or $100 (4 weeks)

FUNctional Fitness is a 60-minute class built specifically for educators and parents. Each session will blend functional movement, bodyweight strength training, HIIT, and mobility work to help you move better and feel stronger. While the kids are having fun at their after-school clubs, take care of yourself — move your body, connect with other adults, and leave campus feeling happy, re-energized, and strong!

All fitness levels are welcome for this class. To register and experience how fun functional fitness can be, please email afterschool@mcdonogh.org and let us know whether you are interested in the 8-week or 4-week package.

Register for Fall 2026 Beginning August 10

Registration

Registration for 2026–2027 is currently closed.

Day of the Week and Time

• Scheduling: Lesson times to be determined by teacher and student availability. Lessons are offered after school and in the evening. Lessons are also offered to McDonogh students during the school day; lessons scheduled during the day do not interfere with academic programs.
• Lesson Length: Middle and Upper School lessons are 30 minutes, and Lower School lessons are 25 minutes.
• Session Length: 6-, 12-, or 30-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of September 14.

Cost

• $66 per lesson for 6- and 12-week sessions ($396 for 6 weeks, $792 for 12 weeks).
• $64 per lesson for 30-week sessions ($1,920 total).

Offerings

McDonogh proudly offers individual music lessons taught by McDonogh music faculty for students of all ages, experience levels, and musical interests that emphasize the development of skills in creating and performing music on a specific instrument.

Lessons are offered in 6-, 12-, or 30-week sessions. Students who sign up for the full 30-week sessions will receive a discounted lesson rate and will be given priority for daytime lessons. Daytime lessons cannot be guaranteed for those students who sign up for 6-week sessions.

Music instruction is offered on the following instruments:

• Drums and Percussion: Ages 5+
• Piano: Ages 5+
• Strings (Violin, Viola, and Cello): Ages 5+
• Guitar: Ages 6+
• Ukulele: Ages 6+
• Flute: Ages 8+
• Trumpet: Ages 8+
• Voice: Ages 10+

Missed Lessons and Make-Up Lessons Policy

If lessons are missed due to illness or other school-mandated conflicts, efforts will be made to make up lessons missed due to student illness, school closures, and teacher conflicts. The music lessons faculty will offer a make-up time that works within the teacher's schedule; if that time is not feasible for families, a make-up lesson cannot be guaranteed.

For this reason, one make-up lesson is built into the 6- and 12-week lessons.

Please Note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons, and no credits are given due to unexcused student absences. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons.

Questions?

Please email music-lesson-manager@mcdonogh.org.

Explore the fundamentals of horsemanship through a combination of mounted training, riding instruction, and hands-on unmounted lessons. Participants will build confidence and foundational skills both in and out of the saddle.

Please fill out the inquiry form below, and a member of our Equestrian Program will contact you with additional information about the program.

Inquiry Form: Prospective Students and Youth Riders

For the 2026–2027 school year, AfterCare begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and runs through Thursday, May 27, 2027.

Please note that in addition to scheduled 2026–2027 school closures, AfterCare will not be offered on the following dates:

• November 24–25, 2026
• Friday, December 18, 2026
• Friday, March 12, 2027
• Monday, March 29, 2027

Families must note on the daily dismissal form (DASH) if their child will be staying for AfterCare.

• The fee is $25 per day per child, whether scheduled or drop-in.
• However, families will not be charged more than $100 per child per week if the child attends all five days (Monday through Friday).
• A late fee of $20 for every 15 minutes will be charged if a child is picked up after AfterCare ends, which is after 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and after 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

All fees — regular daily fees or late fees — will be billed through FACTS.